Container closure and coaster



Sept. 30, 1941. s. PATToIN Filed Oct. 22, 1958 3mm gun Q m/lmm @y Mlm y Patented Sept. 30, 19741 .CONTAINER CLOSUBE AND COASTEB. Franklin S. Patton, Erie, Pa., assignor to Sterling Seal Company, Erie, Pa., a

lvania Penna! corporation of Application October 22,1938, Serial 'o..236,515

(Cl. 21S- 38) 1 Claim 'I'his invention relates to a combined container closure and coaster.

The invention hasl for its objectrthe provision of a closure cap for containers which is capable of use as a sealing closure when the containers are originally packed with a vendable commodity and which is likewise capable of reuse 'as a container closure during the interval of consumption of the contents of the container and is furthermore adapted to be readily transformed, when its closure function has been performed, into a neat and effective coaster for tumblers.

More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a closurecap for containers which is adapted to first serve the function of a closure for a container and to thereafter be transformed into a coaster for tumblers, and which is comprised in the main of two separable parts, namely, a cap member embracing the usual top surface and depending annular flange and a separable locking member adapted to be removably mounted in and carried by the cap member as a unitary assembly. The removable locking member functions, when the closure cap is employed as a container closure, to retain the cap in releasable locking engagement on the container and is adapted to be wholly removed from the cap member to transform the latter into a simple, neat, and convenient coaster for tumblers.

Further and more specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a locking member in the form -of a split ring which can be readily assembled in and disassembled from the cap member, the said locking member partaking of a configuration rendering it capable of ready engagement with and disengagement from an asscf ciated container.

Other and more detailed purposes and objects of the invention will be made apparent as the description proceeds, in which reference will be made to the accompanying drawing wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a container in the form of a tumbler showing a form of the invention applied thereto as a closure cap;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view centrally of the cap shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view with parts broken away showing the cap of the form of the invention shown in Figure 1 transformed into a coaster for tumblers:

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the cap when transformed into a coaster as disclosed in Figure 3;

Y Figure 5 isa detailed view of one form of split ring locking member;

Figures 6, 7, and 8 are fragmentary detailed views illustrating different types of container engaging elements adapted to be provided on the locking member. I

Referring to Figures 1 to 5, the reference character I designates a conventional tumbler having the so-called safe edge bead indicated at 2 (Figure 2). 'I'his is the type of tumbler in which many vendable commodities. such as condiments,

cheese, and the like, are packed. In Figures 1 and 2, the tumbler I is illustrated as provided with a closure cap 3 having the downwardly extending annular ange l provided with the inturned marginal bead 5. A conventional sealing disc 6 may be inserted into the cap.

Assembled in the cap 3 is the removable locking member l. 'I'his locking member is shown in detail in Figure 5 and constitutes a resilient slightly deformed split ring. This locking member I is sprung inwardly at spaced points indicated at 8 around its circumference. Interiorly of these inwardly sprung portions of the locking member 1 are provided the closure engaging projections 9. These may take the form cf small round indentations in the locking member l, as shown in detail in Figure 6, or they may constitute struck out spring teeth as indicated at I0 in Figure 'I and at I I in Figure 8. 'I'he form of locking finger shown at II in Figure 8 is particularly advantageous when used on so-called safe-edge tumblers because the curved upper extremity of the spring tooth indicated at IIa functions as a cam in springing the teeth out of engagement with the bead 2 of the tumbler when pressure is applied at the lower margin 5 of the flange 4 of the cap to eilect removal of the cap from the closure.

The locking member 'I is so designed that when it is ,assembled in the cap member 3, it is under some compression tending to retain the split ring in its assembled position. The inwardly sprung sections 8 of the locking member l (in the form shown in Figure 4) act to provide individual points of resiliency for the gripping elements 8. When this form of the invention is applied to a safe-edge tumbler, the gripping contact points 9 are forced down over the bead 2 voi' the tumbler edge and tightly seal the container. Due to the inherent resiliency oi' the locking member l and to the flexure permitted by the inwardly curved sections I, the cap can be readily removed from the container through the application of an upward force on the marginal edge 5 of the flange t. Removal of the cap 3. however, does not in any way affect the assembly of the locking member 'I in the cap, and the cap can be reused as a closure for the container merely by `snapping the same back over the beaded edge 2 oi' the tumbler.

When the cap has served its purpose as a closure for the container, it need not be discarded but, by a simple manipulation, may be at once transformed into a simple and convenient coaster for tumblers. It is current practice to pack condiments, cheese, tea, and the like in tumblers such as illustrated in Figure 1-. After the contents of the original pack have been consumed. the cap is at once available for use as a coaster.

'I'he employment of coasters for tumblers to catch the condensation occurring on the exterior of the tumbler is almost universal. In accordance with the present invention, when the cap i3 has served its purpose as a sealing closure. it is possible to take a knife blade or the like and insert the same behind one of the free ends of the -locking member 1, spring the same inwardly, and

tion, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive construction through the medium of which it is possible to provide a reusable closure cap which can be readily and simply converted into a tray or coaster free from any objectionable sharp edges or projections and of pleasing configuration and design.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

A composite removable and replaceable closure cap for a container having a bead around the mouth thereof which comprises, a cap member having a fiat top surface and a depending flange, said flange terminating at its lower edge in an inwardly disposed marginal bead, a lock member comprising a ribbon of flexible metal of sufficient width to extend from said top surface to said inwardly disposed marginal bead, said ribbon being bowed inwardly and outwardly throughout its length and provided with a plurality 0f spaced. integral, inwardly extending projections on the inwardly bowed portions, said ribbon being positioned in flexed form biased toward expansion inside said depending flange between said flat top surface and said inwardly disposed marginal bead, and said inwardly extending projections cooperating with the bead around .the mouth of the container to hold the cap in closed position.

FRANKLIN S. PAT'ION. 

